Ending of a timed game

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Jun 27, 2016
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This past weekend I watched a youth tournament that had "70 minutes, finish the inning" time restrictions. For most games this worked out very well. But on a couple of occasions, it was problematic.

At the end of the one game when the umpire announced that time had expired before the end of the inning (they had finished the inning), the coach who was behind by 6 runs went ballistic. He claimed there should have been about 30 seconds on the clock. Therefore they should have been allowed to play another inning.

In another game, the home team was comfortably ahead and in the field for the bottom half of the inning. Their coach was obviously "stalling". He called a defensive time out and went to the mound, when there was no need to do so. After the next batter, he changed catchers and it took time for the exchange because the catchers shared gear. After another batter, he changed pitchers -- when there was no need to do so. In this instance, the stalling had no bearing on the game.

What are tournaments around the country doing to offset these kinds of problems?
 
Jun 11, 2013
2,619
113
There isn't much you can do about the stalling unless the umpire wants to get involved unless you want to confront the other coach.

As far as the last 30 seconds, I wouldn't go ballistic, but I sure would want to play another inning. It's part of the rules.

What we've been seeing more of (especially in NSA) is that in our 75 minute games if an inning starts with < 10 minutes left the PU is calling it
last inning.
 
Jun 11, 2013
2,619
113
We had a coach a couple of years ago that changed his catcher with < 2 minutes left. We rallied and tied the game knocking him into Silver bracket and he tried to argue that we should get another inning.
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
As soon as they put a time limit on a game it becomes part of the game and you need to manage accordingly. The only question is if you do it with class or go bush league as described. We manage the clock very carefully but do so by accelerating the pace rather than by stalling. We use things like a hurry up defense to earn another inning if needed. But if a coach wants to go bush league and stall we have some tricks of our own like walking across the plate. Rarely have had to do that but it happens. We have our own timer in the dugout and sync it with the umpire so there is never a question regarding an early finish.
 
Jun 11, 2013
2,619
113
I agree with riseball. I also believe that every team that worries about running out of time should look back at how much
time they wasted during the game. Not having someone to warm up P if C made last out. Not getting on the field quickly
etc. I know some teams with good pitching that start slowing the game down from the first pitch of the game.
 
May 31, 2015
16
1
I start my timer when the umpire starts his. Some of our tournaments say they won't start a new inning with less than a minute to play. But others don't. Gotta manage the clock and that is one of my main roles as the other coaches are used to high school 7 inning games. It's part of it. One of our area teams appears to intentionally try to slow the entire game down, 70 minute two inning games are crazy. But if the umpire won't step in we will have to adapt. Rise all, might have to adopt some of your tactics if we play them. Oh, and did I mention I HATE wristbands at 12u ball!!!!
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
they won't start a new inning with less than a minute to play

They need to read a rule book then because the new inning started the instant the 3rd out of the previous inning was made.
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
I agree with riseball. I also believe that every team that worries about running out of time should look back at how much
time they wasted during the game. Not having someone to warm up P if C made last out. Not getting on the field quickly
etc. I know some teams with good pitching that start slowing the game down from the first pitch of the game.

We are a showcase team but even in competitive tournaments we do the same thing. After the first inning we go with one warmup pitch, throw down, and give me a batter. We also will sometimes utilize a hurry up defense. Only one warm up pitch. No pitch calling as the pitcher throws nothing but drop/fastballs trying for a ground ball. We often get half innings under 5 minutes and put them right back out in the sun. :)
 
Jun 11, 2013
2,619
113
We are a showcase team but even in competitive tournaments we do the same thing. After the first inning we go with one warmup pitch, throw down, and give me a batter. We also will sometimes utilize a hurry up defense. Only one warm up pitch. No pitch calling as the pitcher throws nothing but drop/fastballs trying for a ground ball. We often get half innings under 5 minutes and put them right back out in the sun. :)

That's the way it should be. Our team 2 years ago played several 7 inning games in 80 minute tournaments.
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
That's the way it should be. Our team 2 years ago played several 7 inning games in 80 minute tournaments.

Nothing worse that a HS team/coach playing in a showcase. Everyone on the field throwing between innings, 5 warmup pitches, throw down to second, everyone to the circle as they toss the ball around... GET ON WITH IT ALREADY I AM NOT GETTING ANY YOUNGER!!!
 

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